The Genesis Project

by Tigris Eden

  Gen was acutely aware of Adam following close behind.

  “Of course, how else are we supposed to get there? No one surges anymore. I’ve heard my father say he was going to have all of the surge stations removed permanently. They’re a thing of the past.”

  Irritation burned bright in Adam’s eyes. She didn’t need to listen for the signs, she could see his emotions right behind his electric blue orbs. He was frustrated with her, faced with having to babysit, she could understand why. To Adam she was a thorn in his side. Something his father made him do, it wasn’t something he openly volunteered for. She didn’t have the credits to use a jump station and she didn’t see any other way to the Academy short of taking a transporter, which would mean she would have had to leave at least a week ago in order to arrive on time.

  “I don’t have enough credits, okay, and I’ve already imposed on you enough.”

  Adam’s hand shot out and grabbed onto Genesis’ arm. He intended to pull her back towards the jump station, only the two of them stood there completely shocked at the other’s unexpected reaction.

  Anyone else would have reacted differently to a touch so simple. She’d had skin on skin contact before but when Adam reached out and took hold of her arm, something hot passed through her at the point of contact. It was foreign, powerful and scary. It made her feel emotions she couldn’t put names to. It was a volatile mixture of confusion and warmth. Making her feel extremely vulnerable.

  Gen stared down at their linked hands in shock. Stared until Adam released her. Praise be to the Goddess of the night. Gen thought. She was never touching another person again if that was the reaction she would garner. Adam took a few steps back and watched her with assessing eyes. His pupils dilated and his nostrils flared as if he was trying to catch her scent. She couldn’t place the new smell that was now coming off of him in a strong, dark musk. It wasn’t unpleasant, but her body response was. Her palms were sweaty, and her breast tingled as they became heavy. She could see Adam’s teeth as they extended to rest on the bottom of his lower lip. This was not good. They both stood still, looking at one another with equal amounts of confusion and trepidation. Adam was the one that broke their spell. She’d been so caught up in her emotions, she hadn’t had time to process his reactions. Gen understood what it was that had his voice changing decibels, speaking in low and angry tones. He was aroused, and extremely irritated at his response.

  “I have more than enough credits for us both to jump. Now come on so we can make the trip and get there before they shut the assembly doors.” He walked over to the credit log and paid for their fare.

  “I’ll pay you back,” Gen said as they stepped up to the platform. Their coordinates were already plugged in and all that was left for them to do was step into the jumping field.

  “I know you will,” was all Adam said, as he took her hand again and that jolt of power passed through her, eliciting the same reaction from earlier. She didn’t have time to reprocess the sensation though as the jump splice had already started.

  Chapter 3

  Jumping was just as it sounded. Coordinates were input into the docking station and then the person or persons would take the platform and jump. The experience was something Genesis enjoyed thoroughly. Her stomach dropped to what felt like the bottom of the floor and then quickly shot into her throat. Even if a person wanted to open their eyes, she was sure no one would for fear of what they may or may not see. The jump only took a few seconds and then it was over. She couldn’t explain the separation of the body from the mind, but that’s what happened when people jumped. When she opened her eyes she was at the Academy.

  The Academy was located in Sector 12 of the Dark Colonies. There was no sun and no cosmic dust. The moons of Upricarion were all intact, six moons in all. Two of the moons dipped right into the Sea of Valanus’ back-drop and the others were bright lights that cast shadows on the surface of the dark planet. The Dark Colonies were in the Federated Universe of Upricari Prime, home to the Drow or the Dark Fae of Drubar. They had black skin embedded with diamonds and they were hairless, including their females. Once enslaved, it had taken years before they were able to break free of their jailors. But those who’d escaped took refuge on the Dark Colonies far from the uncharted systems where they’d been held against their will. They mined the mountains of Sector 12 for its precious ores, which fueled half of the United Universes fleet.

  The land was harsh with sharp rock and color changing stones. Black mountains capped with ice outlined most of the terrain creating vast valleys. Stars sprinkled the night sky and the moons were so close to Upricarion’s atmosphere they looked embedded into the horizon. The school was built into the base of a mountain. Large windows glowed from the candle light as recruits began piling into the assembly hall. There was a Drow standing at the docking station to greet them as they stepped down onto solid ground. He was short, but stacked. Black skin glistened with diamonds and his bald head was smoother than glass. His eyes were a brilliant gold that crinkled when he smiled. Dressed in tan trousers and a white button up shirt that buttoned all the way to his throat, he embodied strength and strong character. Gen could tell by the way he held himself, regally.

  “Mr. Reynard it’s a pleasure to have you with us again,” The Drow looked Gen from head to toe and his smile grew impossibly wider, showcasing perfect white teeth. “You must be Miss Blackmore. I’m Mr. Reynard’s personal assistant and yours as well. You’ve both been assigned to the senior quarter’s dormitory.”

  Gen smiled at the Drow with his lilting accent, who still hadn’t introduced himself. His attention switched back to her, he nodded in her direction and with a graceful bow he gave her his name.

  “I am called Douglas Drubar.”

  “You’re a Drubar?” Gen asked surprised, to have an actual Drubar be her personal assistant was a great honor. Durbars’ were part of the Dark Fae’s royal court. It was said they could kill a person with a thought. It was also said they were distant relatives to the Celestrial’s.

  “Yes Misses I am, and I am very happy to serve your academic needs, please follow me.”

  Adam didn’t say anything but he didn’t need to. He was angry and more agitated as they drew closer to the Academy doors. He was eating up the distance with his long strides and Gen tried to keep up but she was distracted by the color changing rocks that had been lined up to make a path leading all the way up the Academy doors. How a planet so harsh could produce something so beautiful astounded her.

  “Come along Misses, the orator will be speaking soon. You don’t want to miss out on your first day.”

  The assembly room was spacious with vaulted ceilings and red crystal chandeliers cast against black marble. Ornate crystal columns separated both sides of the room. Rows of plush benches were lined side by side row after row on platforms, it allowed for auditorium seating.

  Douglas ushered Gen forward while Adam found a place in a group among other’s she assumed were his classmates.

  “Sit here dear, I will come and get you once the orientation is complete and will have your things delivered to your dormitory.”

  Douglas bowed again and then he was off, leaving her in a crowd of people she’d never met. They stared at her for a moment before quickly gathering their senses. She didn’t look like the other recruits, and aside from the Drubar, she stood out clearly among all the pale faces and white hair. There were other species among the Federated Universes, but because Pars were disliked among most of the species, it was decided that they be schooled separately. In order to visit some of the more general populated planets, one had to obtain a travel passport. A very select few Pars ever went off planet and those who did, usually went back to their home planet to complete their Mecca. She’d been to the Pars blood planet with her father when he’d gone back for his own sire’s burial. A stranger among her own kind, she couldn’t even began to express how truly awkward she felt at her gawkers.

  Gen was seated three rows from the front of the sta
ge. Soon, other people began to pile, packing the assembly room with recruits. The level of noise increased to a raging roar, causing Gen almost to wince in pain. A.I. had told her that turning off her ultra-sensitive sensory would allow her to properly assimilate within the population. She tried that now and found that with deep breathing she was able to switch it off.

  # # #

  A very tall, elegant woman walked onto the stage, and the room quieted. There was an air of superiority that surrounded her as she made her way to the front of the stage. She had kind, understanding eyes, that changed color. Her yellow, sunflower hair was neatly plaited and rested against her black, chapel length dress that glided against the floor in what looked like waves for several inches. The front was cut low and revealed ample cleavage. Gen could only stare. Maybe the Academy was exactly what she needed. Here there was what her father would call ‘necessary oddities’. The woman’s skin was almost translucent and interlaced with bright red veins intricately displayed just beneath her pearl like skin. The Orator was a Celestrial. Ethereal beings who lived on another plane. There was only a handful in all the Federated Universes and Genesis listened to her soft lyrical voice with eager anticipation. To have a Celestrial at the Academy was something that made Genesis antsy with questions. There were so many she wanted to ask the other woman, things that would further her and her father’s research.

  “Evening recruits, welcome to another rotation at the Academy. This cycle marks a first as we have a new student who I believe is going to do great things for her species.”

  The Celestrial looked directly at Genesis and smiled warmly.

  “Not only does she come to the Academy one full rotation early, she’s also a senior recruit. Please everyone give a warm greeting to Genesis Blackmore.” The entire roomed turned their curious gazes on Gen. How was she supposed to act? What was the protocol for such an introduction? Slowly she rose from her seat and waited a half second before she sat back down. There was laughter in the room at her actions. Embarrassment made her feel cold and clammy. The other recruits were staring and whispering about her coloring and differences. Genesis didn’t need to strain to hear what they were saying. She could hear it as if they were talking directly to her. They were commenting on her gold skin tone and the coloring of her veins. Someone mentioned she’d dusted herself with Fae dust just to get a reaction out of everyone here in the room. Another recruit said she chemically dyed her hair. She’d actually tried dying her hair, only she tried to die it platinum. The chemicals wouldn’t take to her hair follicles and just rinsed right out. Gen tried to cover her skin by pulling her arms inside her sleeves. She didn’t want the attention, and wished she could blend in with the rest of them. Inwardly she was angry at herself for hiding. Openly she dreaded their reactions. Her stomach was twisted and churned with raw fear, when a noise at the end of the row caught her attention.

  A very tall male was heading straight towards her. Everything about him was dangerous. His smile, his fathomless blue eyes, even his hair looked intimidating, pulled back into a braid that wrapped several times around his neck with the end resting mid-way down his chest. Two single braids hung at the sides of his face with black and red beads resting at the end. As he got closer his smile grew wider. He sat next to her. Right next to her. Everyone else on the bench was a good six feet away. Not him. And even though she tried not to be effected by him, she was. Every female was, Gen realized. If the sighs of longing that bloomed through the auditorium were any indication.

  “Don’t mind me lovely, I’m always late to these things.” He was sitting so close, Genesis could feel his hot breath brush her cheek. “Aren’t you quite the looker,” he leaned forward and inspected her closely. His pupils widened only a moment as his nostrils flared. “A tasty bouquet, I am more than willing to try.” He whispered seductively. Gen shivered and tried to scoot closer to the end of the bench. He only followed. Intimately pressing his thigh against hers. The heat from his skin seared her flesh, she wasn’t sure if it was because she was jumpy, or if he had that effect on her.

  “Mr. Treegold,” boomed the orator. “So good of you to finally grace us with your presence.”

  The man in question tipped his head in the orator’s direction and winked.

  “Miss Evangeline, I missed my jump. The jump stations seemed to have disappeared right before my eyes, it was magical.”

  “I highly doubt that all of the jump stations magically disappeared, simply due to your presence.”

  “Aah, but my version is so much better than your highly doubtful,” he turned in Gen’s direction and asked her directly. “Don’t you agree love?”

  There was laughter throughout the assembly room, but the orator ignored it and continued speaking. Genesis inhaled deeply as the man next to her seemed fully engrossed in the lecture. Gen felt like there were hundreds of eyes on her, which there were. Every time she looked up there was someone staring at her, including Adam and his friends. Everyone that is, except for Bianca Treegold’s brother. Genesis had only seen vid feeds of Xander and it had been a few rotations back. He had been much younger then. Now he looked darker, hard-edged. Something he’d seen or witnessed out in the field perhaps changed his point of view. Gen let the thought drift away and quickly focused on the orator.

  “Right now, you’re the new shiny credit.”

  Genesis turned harsh eyes on Xander and glared.

  “Would you kindly not speak to me? I’m trying to listen to the speech.”

  Xander held both hands up in a supplicating gesture and shrugged.

  “Apologies.”

  Genesis remained painfully aware of Xander the remainder of the presentation. When the assembly room was dismissed she quietly waited for everyone to leave. She didn’t like crowds. Quickly she stood and sought out Douglas. When her eyes finally landed on him, he was talking to Adam who looked very unhappy. Gen could hear the discussion and his anger over the news that his room would be directly across from hers. Sometimes she hated her enhanced hearing.

  “I see you’ve managed to upset the Chancellor’s son.” Xander said over her shoulder. Where the hell did he come from and why wouldn’t he leave her alone? Genesis looked back over shoulder and tried not to be annoyed. It was not her fault that Adam was asked to escort her. Nor, was it her fault they had the same personal assistant.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Genesis replied. She may not know how to act in most social situations, but she definitely knew how to evade questions.

  “You’re a terrible liar.” Xander replied showing a perfect row of white teeth and even sharper fangs. “I’ve never seen a Southerner up close. Did you know that Southerners are known for their strong sexual appetites? That us Strigoi Thracian’s are timid in bed compared to a Vyrkolakas? If memory serves correctly their sexual practices are loosely based on the Illyrian ritualistic beliefs.”

  Xander’s voice dropped to barely a whisper as his cheek rubbed against the side of her face. Gen drew in a shaky breath and tried to relax. He was just trying to get a rise out of her. Skin on skin contact for her was strongly felt by even the smallest of her nerve endings. Vaggo had seen to her sensitivity. At times she was too hyper-aware, like now with Xander so close to her. Her reaction to him was stronger than Adam’s had been. His touch sizzled her blood, which caused for a powerful hot-cold rush to her nerve endings. An uncontrolled shudder raced down her spine. With her previous promise she’d made to herself firm in her head, she took a step back. Touching others was definitely out of the question.

  # # #

  “I wouldn’t know anything about that,” Gen said slowly. “My father is a Northerner and is a descendent of Strigoi Thracian’s as well. Just like everyone else here, myself included. My mother was a southerner, but she died during my birth.” Lies came second nature to her. It was true her cell donor had been born with a Southerner’s lineage, but Vaggo wasn’t her birth father.

  There was a huge difference between the Strigoi and Vyrkolakas. Vyrkola
kas, practiced the Illyrian beliefs, in that they could seek out multiple partners and believed they could not co-exist with humans. Their thirst was a huge part of the eradication of the human species. The beliefs of the Strigoi were equality and democracy as well as the rights of humans. They’d been huge supporters in the Uni-War, but everyone had to choose sides. Her father’s people had chosen what they deemed the lesser of two evils. Humans had been hunted down and killed for their blood, in order to sustain their way of life when the Uni-Wars started. This was due to one of their ancestors starting the first Uni-War. Humans had been banned from Old Earth, then taken to live out the rest of their days on a planet called Sanctuary. Some humans had secretly stayed behind, but had quickly died, due to the regeneration of Old Earth. Now extinct, she and her father were trying to find ways to sustain the Pars’ way of life without disease.

  The Arnoracks had come to conquer and control Earth. They were Pars like the Strigoi and Vyrkolakas and some believed distant relatives. Some even believed they were direct descendants from Vlad Tepes, but it hadn’t been the case. They were just a far more aggressive as a species and came from another blood planet. Their appetite for blood was insatiable. They’d attacked all the blood banks that had been set up for Pars. The humans that had stayed on Earth had been willing to donate blood and plasma once every three months. But the Arnoracks had exhausted the resources at the banks. Once they were depleted, they went straight for what was left of the human population. They were voracious in their war campaign and no one, including the Pars were safe. Humans had been seduced by the idea of immortality that the Arnoracks promised and in the end, every living human had been wiped out, and the Earth’s resources used up, bringing on the second and most brutal of the Uni-Wars.